Intermediate-Advanced Kayakin: Paddle the Lower Yough

OVERVIEW

Let’s head to PA for some camping and kayaking on the Youghiogheny River. We’ll leave Friday evening, returning Sunday evening. The tentative plan is to meetup with the Coastal Canoeists (and whoever else might be up there) and run the Lower Yough (7 miles of Solid Class III) river both Saturday/Sunday.

REQUIRED SKILLZ:
Obviously the ability to wet exit, and swim will be required! Proficiency in being T-rescued is also required. Ability to self-rescue (swim aggressively to the shore, and away from obstacles, and not float motionlessly downstream) is required. I won’t necessarily say that combat roll is required for this trip, but I will say that having one will probably make your river experience significantly better! (A combat roll means you can get yourself up in a rapid when flipped unexpectedly). In lieu of a combat roll, you could also bring: stellar boat control and river reading skills, and/or the ability to hang out upside down and tucked tight for 30 seconds or so for a T-rescue while rocks are hitting your head & body! You should ideally have lots of Class III river runs. (Feeling comfortable on, and several swim-free runs on the Lower James at 4.5′ would be a good start as this will be few notches up).

I’ll be waitlisting everyone until I screen your skillz, and until I’m reasonably sure that the river will be at a quasi-tame level, so signup if you think you have the skillz, worst I’ll say is no. Trip may be relocated or canceled in the event that the LY gets too big. Side note – can I get a “mother duck” on this trip? 😉

RIVER BETA:
From American Whitewater: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1687/
Fall is here, and this river is relatively cold year round – so expect water temps to be in the 50’s. A drytop and non-cotton layers will be needed (club provides drytops). Since the water is cold, swim team tryouts are discouraged.

LODGING/FOOD:
We will most likely be camping at the Tripple K Ranch, which is about 4 hours away, so we’ll shoot to leave around 6pm on Friday and grab food on the way there. The club pays for camp/river food, but you should bring some extra $ for any restaurant food or snacks you may wish to buy on the way there or back. I put $20 as the fee to cover misc expenses.

YOU PROVIDE: kayaking gear if you have it, whatever camping gear you have, clothes (on and off the river, WARM and NON-COTTON, it will likely be colder there than in Cville), and $$ for food and snacks on the road to and from the Yough.

CLUB PROVIDES: kayaking gear if you need it, camping gear if you need it, food for Saturday and Sunday, and gas $